What do these terms mean?

Only for people signing up, opening an account or joining for the first time.

The reward is there to win new customers, so existing customers usually miss out. Banks and telcos often define "new" strictly — for example, no similar account in the past 12 months.

Watch out: Closing and reopening an account usually doesn't make you "new" again.

The company checks your credit history, and the enquiry is recorded on your credit report.

Applying for a credit card, loan, post-paid phone plan or buy-now-pay-later account triggers a credit enquiry. In Australia each application enquiry stays on your credit report for five years, and many applications in a short period can lower your score.

Watch out: Planning a home loan soon? Go easy on opening cards for bonuses.

You have to spend at least this much to get the deal, so it isn't free.

A minimum spend applies to a single order; a required spend (common with credit card bonuses) must be reached within a set period. Gift cards, fees and refunds usually don't count — check the terms.

Watch out: Only worth it if you were going to buy those things anyway.

A yearly fee, common with credit cards and paid memberships — subtract it from what you save.

Some cards waive the fee in the first year and charge from the second, so decide before it renews.

Watch out: Count the second-year fee as a cost and cancel before it's charged if you don't want to keep it.

Only available in the listed states or territories, or only at stores there.

Supermarket catalogue prices, energy plans and government rebates often differ by state.

Watch out: Set your state in My profile and we'll hide deals you can't use.

You need to be a member first — some memberships are free, others are paid.

Examples: Amazon Prime, Everyday Rewards, Flybuys or a brand's app. Free ones just need a sign-up; for paid ones like Prime, count the fee as a cost.

Part of the saving needs you to hand in an old device.

Common with phones and laptops. The old device usually has to power on, be unlocked and be on the eligible list, and its value depends on condition.

Watch out: No eligible device? Judge the deal on the price without the trade-in bonus.

You'll verify your identity with a licence, passport or similar.

Banks, investment and money-transfer apps and mobile carriers are legally required to verify identity. Usually you upload a photo of your ID and take a selfie.

You need someone's referral code at sign-up; the referrer usually gets a reward too.

Enter it during sign-up — adding it afterwards usually doesn't work.

After the free or discounted period it charges the full price unless you cancel.

Free trials and intro offers usually roll into a paid plan on the card you gave.

Watch out: Put the end date in your calendar and cancel a day or two before.

Claim or order through the brand's app; the website or counter price doesn't include it.

Many fast food, coffee and supermarket offers live in the app's offers or rewards tab.

You need to visit a store; the deal isn't available online.

Common with clearance prices and in-store giveaways. Stock varies by store, so check online first.

Only some accounts get it — check yours.

The company picks which accounts receive the offer. Log in to your account or app to see whether you got it.

Limited quantity — first come, first served.

These can sell out within hours of being posted.

A code you enter at checkout — forget it and you pay full price.

Some codes are limited to new customers, a number of uses or certain products. Trust the total shown at checkout.

Adults only, usually alcohol. You may need to show ID.

You must be 18 or over to buy alcohol in Australia, and delivery or pick-up may require photo ID.

Click through a cashback site before you buy and part of what you spend comes back later.

Cashback usually takes weeks to months to confirm and is cancelled if you return the item. You must start from the cashback site and finish the order in the same browser.

Watch out: Turn off ad blockers; using a coupon the site didn't publish can void the cashback.

Buy gift cards cheaper (or with bonus points) and spend them later — like a discount.

Only worth it if you'll use the card. Check the expiry date and where it can be spent.

Points you earn can become shopping credit or flights; we count them separately from cash savings.

Supermarket points are roughly $10 of credit per 2,000 points; airline points vary a lot. Points aren't cash, so our "save" figure counts cash only and values points separately.

Moving your existing number to a new provider — many sign-up deals require it.

Choose "keep my number" when signing up. It usually completes within minutes to hours; your old plan is cancelled, and a post-paid contract may still have charges.

Order online and pick it up in store, usually with no delivery fee.

Wait for the "ready to collect" message, then bring your order number and ID.

Amazon's repeat delivery gives an extra discount, but it re-orders automatically.

You can subscribe once and cancel in your account after it arrives. Future prices may change.

Some retailers will match or beat a competitor's lower price.

It usually has to be the same model, in stock, at a local retailer; marketplaces and clearance prices are often excluded. Check each store's policy.

The brand's list price — often inflated, so we discount it when estimating real savings.

Many products rarely sell at RRP. When RRP is all we have, we count 70% of the gap as the real saving.

A price set by mistake — the order may be cancelled.

Retailers often cancel and refund these orders. Don't change other plans until it actually ships.